Unofficial news and tips about Google

March 26, 2007

Toll Roads in Google Maps

Google Maps includes information about toll roads (roads where you have to pay a fee), at least for the US. Chris Maloy, who sent me the tip, says:

"This has been long been missing from Google, but available on most other map services. I like seeing this on the detail, however it would be nice to have on as an indicator on the map, or where the toll booth is (helpful for long toll roads), and finally the cost of the toll."

Echoing some others here, it really would be helpful to have a checkbox up top "Avoid tollroads", just like there already is one for "Avoid highways". I have to look at the map and figure out my alternate route myself which sorta defeats the purpose of using google maps.

I have noticed that the "Avoid toll feature" doesn't always work.Eg: I mapped a trip from Homebush Bay in Sydney to Penrith, and clicked Avoid tolls, yet it still maps thru the "tolled" Section of the M4 motorway. What gives???

Yes, it appears there's an avoid toll feature, but Google Maps still doesn't show which roads are toll roads on the map. I think toll roads are evil, it's just another form of taxation, you have to watch out for them. One question I have is, what if you come up on a toll barrier by accident? In the U.S. I haven't seen how to turn around and leave. What happens if you don't have any cash? How do you leave?

It wouldn't surprise me if the government conspired to prevent people from turning around and leaving the toll barrier, because of all the other evil things government does.

I have spent a lot of time trying to find the prices of the toll roads we want to take to drive our son 1,500 miles to college. It is a major hassle. Knowing the amount of the tolls would help me determine which route to take - and to know if I want to recalculate the route. According to the "no toll route" it adds 2 hours to a 24 hour drive. The amount of the tolls would help me know if the extra 2 hours is worth it. I have found that you can go to the state's tollway website for a toll calculator, but when crossing 7 states, what a pain! Regardless, Google maps are still great.

The price per leg and a total toll for the trip would be excellent. Tolls are deductible for self employed and job seekers. What would be even better would be a mobile app that works alongside my GPS that would automatically track my tolls and add them up for me. Ain't tech cool?

Can't agree with the poster above about automated toll calculator for the trip. Recently made a trip across 4 states, NY to MA, worried how much toll I would pay but then found an alternative route on Mapquest without tolls, used that instead. Automated toll calculator will be great addition to Google maps

I have found on at least 3 occasions Google maps wanted me to take a toll when CLEARLY it wasnt necessessary or faster. Makes me wonder if they have been prompted to always offer a toll road for the benefit of the TOLL road.